An ancient Tendai temple known as 'Oya Kannon,' with cliff-carved Buddha images in Oya stone as its principal object. The principal Senju Kannon is a cliff carving approximately 4m tall, attributed to Kobo Daishi Kukai and among Japan's oldest stone Buddhas. The ten images carved directly into the rock face — Senju Kannon, Shaka Sanzon, Yakushi Sanzon, and Amida Sanzon — are overwhelming. The temp…

Traditionally founded in 810 when Kobo Daishi Kukai carved the Senju Kannon into the Oya stone cliff face. However, recent research suggests the cliff carvings are early 9th-century works possibly by sculptors other than Kukai. The stone Buddha group carved in soft Oya tuff stone is the largest coll…